March Low Income Mamas Support Thread - Page 11

[sandygirl]

good morning ladies!

Ediesmom - *Hugs* I know how bad the thyroid is myself - it alone is debilitating when not properly treated.

mamamoo - thats exactly what I said when I found out - except then I found out they will be cutting my DD's prescription formula amount that WIC covers

Aura_Kitten - you're not crazy - I'm stocking up on food and other items as much as I can. We're going into a big big depression globally, and it's going to be a bumpy ride through it. I just bought 200lbs of flour yesterday, and 50lbs of pasta. Wheat prices are about to skyrocket thanks to a global shortage.

Today I've got to figure out a place to put all the stuff I bought yesterday, and make another shopping run to get my free with coupons items at a few stores.

[EarthyMamaofDaisy]

Ediesmom: Hope you start feeling better! It must be hard to concentrate on schoolwork when you're in so much pain.

I'm so excited about the new WIC packages! But that's messed up that they are taking away prescription formula. Can Medicaid cover it instead?

I'm starting to get panicky about the whole recession thing. I'm going to grow a huge garden this summer. This will be my first time. I was going to do one last summer but I was in Boston for most of the summer for Connor's surgery. So this will be the summer of gardening. Last summer I had my Dad plant me some blackberries and raspberries so hopefully they will be mature come fall. I'm trying to get a dehydrator off craigslist so I dont' have to freeze all the berries. My parents have tons of blueberry bushes too so I have those to preserve too. Now I'm getting scared about the wheat prices to go up too. I'm thinking about looking into getting a 50 lb bag of flour from the health food store's co-op. I've never co-op'd with them but this may be the time to start. I noticed too that WIC is going to give canned beans now which is good because I have a terrible time cooking the dry ones so that they actually come out right. So at least we'll have that for protein. And if DH can actually get a deer this fall then we'll have that to last us awhile. If I get the dehydrator I can learn to make venison jerky.

I think I'm going to post some more stuff on Craigslist. I want to get as much out of debt possible just in case. DH is a diesel mechanic/truck driver so hopefully there is some job security in that. I mean we'll always need truck drivers but if people stop shopping then that will cut down on how much stuff is needed to be transported. He's pretty good at smooth talking his way through job interviews.

[KnockedUpButtercup]

Good morning, mamas! Despite all our current crises, we have a big day planned. Now, if only I will start getting reimbursement checks from Blue Cross soon...

Does anyone know how long it takes for an insurance company to reimburse you when you see an out of network specialist? Here is my dilemma:

DS2 sees an out-of-network specialist weekly, for $175 a pop. (OUCH!) Because there is no in-network specialist who can see him, Blue Cross certified this doctor so that we can be reimbursed at the in-network level. However, we still have to pay the full amount, then wait to be reimbursed. I dutifully file for reimbursement every week, yet I'm.Still.Waiting.For.A.Check. This has been going on since mid-February. In the meantime, I now live in a world where everything is paid late or partially, and the most I can hope for is minimum payments. We knew we were one financial crisis away from disaster, and now we're there.

Anyway, my little guy has another appt today at 4:30, and I'm taking the whole family, since we're on Spring Break. We're leaving at 11:00, having a picnic lunch in the Sculpture Garden across from the Museum of Fine Arts, then going into the Museum to check out the Pompeii Exhibit. It will cost us about what going to the movies (sans popcorn) would cost, so it's not a bad outing. Then we can make Ross's appt, a few blocks away, and head home to the Seitan Pot Roast and Veggies I just put in the crockpot.

I feel guilty for spending this money, but $24 to get into the museum seems so small, compared to the $175 I will pay for this office visit, and I had it extra on my check from some tutoring I did after school this month. I should throw it to one of the many sources clamoring for any extra penny, but I am spending it on my family instead.

Anyway, I'm spending it.

Holly

[mamamoo]

Originally Posted by ediesmom

good morning mamas!

edie went to the 'jonas brothers' concert last night with her father. he hasn't brought her home yet:......i hope she had an amazing time, but she NEEDS to be at school!

as for me....no, i think i'm not doing great. my health issues are pretty consuming. i emailed my doc last night asking for someone to help me manage...diabetes (out of control), thyroid (undertreated), and the shoulder hurting like hell. all while trying to do all i do. there should be like a patient advocate or something.

story..... i have been giving up cigarettes .....the pharmacy gave me sugar coated gum, which spikes my sugar and has some food allergen in it. i asked them to switch it...they refused: they told me it was what my insurance covered! well, i know for a fact that they cover non-sugar coated gum. as a matter of fact, i think its ALL they cover...the pharmacy was just out of the regular and fudged it somehow. so now my sugar is sky high and my celiac (joint paint, stomach issues, etc.) is flaring.

and then, for months, my doctor had been giving me the wrong long acting insulin, and then bitching about my blood sugars. all the while never telling me that the insulin didn't cover a full 24 hours

so, no....not feeling up to par. and pain wears on me. i am physically and emotionally exhausted ALL.THE.TIME.

enough whining i guess

HAPPY SPRING!!

:: eyes:::sfo ryou:::

Oh mama. I am so sorry!! I hope they get your meds and pain all straightened out. That is just sucky!!

Originally Posted by sandygirl

good morning ladies!

mamamoo - thats exactly what I said when I found out - except then I found out they will be cutting my DD's prescription formula amount that WIC covers

Oh no! I am so sorry. So is there any other way to get it covered? Through medicaid or something?

Originally Posted by KnockedUpButtercup

Good morning, mamas! Despite all our current crises, we have a big day planned. Now, if only I will start getting reimbursement checks from Blue Cross soon...

Does anyone know how long it takes for an insurance company to reimburse you when you see an out of network specialist? Here is my dilemma:

DS2 sees an out-of-network specialist weekly, for $175 a pop. (OUCH!) Because there is no in-network specialist who can see him, Blue Cross certified this doctor so that we can be reimbursed at the in-network level. However, we still have to pay the full amount, then wait to be reimbursed. I dutifully file for reimbursement every week, yet I'm.Still.Waiting.For.A.Check. This has been going on since mid-February. In the meantime, I now live in a world where everything is paid late or partially, and the most I can hope for is minimum payments. We knew we were one financial crisis away from disaster, and now we're there.

Anyway, my little guy has another appt today at 4:30, and I'm taking the whole family, since we're on Spring Break. We're leaving at 11:00, having a picnic lunch in the Sculpture Garden across from the Museum of Fine Arts, then going into the Museum to check out the Pompeii Exhibit. It will cost us about what going to the movies (sans popcorn) would cost, so it's not a bad outing. Then we can make Ross's appt, a few blocks away, and head home to the Seitan Pot Roast and Veggies I just put in the crockpot.

I feel guilty for spending this money, but $24 to get into the museum seems so small, compared to the $175 I will pay for this office visit, and I had it extra on my check from some tutoring I did after school this month. I should throw it to one of the many sources clamoring for any extra penny, but I am spending it on my family instead.

Anyway, I'm spending it.

Holly

Have fun at the museum!!! Sometimes you just have to splurge! Isn't there anyway the doc can wait for the reimbursement payment to come through? Since it's so many weeks now you will be able to start using that money to pay the doc every week as it comes in. It just sucks though...waiting. I hope it come soon. Have you called to ask when they are sending the checks?

[Aura_Kitten]

ediesmom ~ s I'm so sorry you're going through so much. I wish there was something I could do to help. But, it's awesome you're quitting smoking. I've been trying not to go back.

Buttercup ~ don't feel bad. Seriously. Go have fun.

Earthmama ~ I'm starting to get panicky too... : ... I keep asking if I can grow a garden here (in the backyard @ my apartment complex) and all I keep hearing is, maybe and, we'll see. Well we won't have time for it to matter if they keep putting it off, and there's no way we'll be able to stay afloat during a recession or, God forbid, flat-out depression, without fresh vegetables. And neither will many of the other families here.

Also I can't stock up on flour because every time I've tried they get infested with weavils... we have a major bug problem here no matter what I've tried. Generally I keep stuff in the freezer but we only have our fridge / freezer... so when flour and corn meal is in there I quickly run out of room for anything else.

Ugh.

Anyway, off that depressing note ~ I made the Hillbilly Housewife banana bread last night, using up the last 3/4 c of orange juice my kids had left... I'm almost out of oil. But the bread is delicious. I'm hoping they still have over-ripe bananas on sale at the grocery store this afternoon. And I made home-made soda, which ended up not being as cost-effective as I thought it would be but the kids got a kick out of it.

Is anyone else coloring eggs today or this weekend ~ ??? I need to get another flat of eggs and then we'll be set.

[s_kristina]

I've been asking about the changes in the WIC packages every time I go in for at least a year now. At this point the nutritionist we usually see is asking when it's going to happen as well. At work today dh was told by the guy he works with that his step daughter was headed to WIC to see about formula as "bfing is just too hard and too much work." Dh knows about the upcoming changes to the WIC packages and told him that they won't be giving as much formula soon. I think the poor guy was shocked at how much formula could cost when dh told him.

My really great news for the week is the ~30 infant size Kushies AIOs a friend is shipping to me Her dd outgrew them recently and she has no plans for future babies so I'm getting a nice bunch of diapers. I had wanted to CD with ds, but between initial outlay and having to wash them at the laundromat could not make it work out. Not having the initial outlay is going to be a big help. Now I've just got to get dh to talk with the LL about putting a line up for drying them on. I've also got to see about a diaper pail and a wet bag for when we are out, but that will work out one way or another.

We had an unplanned for bill last week that ate up a big chunk of dh's check so everything is getting pushed that much further out. That includes a new car seat for ds so we have to just hope he doesn't grow at all until we can get the new one for him. Also have to hope the baby doesn't make an early appearance as the seat ds is currently in will be passed down to him. Even with having most of the stuff to pass down from an older sibling kids get expensive!

[BusyBeeMom]

Hi all, I'm new here! I recently separated, a student mama of 2, and my only income will be child support. I'm back in school for the long-haul, so trying to figure out how to make things work in my very high-cost of living area (New York) on a shoestring (our child support doesn't even cover 1/2 of housing costs, my family will help, but obviously there's a limit to that as well)...

I'm hoping you might have some wise words! I'm so overwhelmed.

So, I applied for and got WIC - yeah! That's already a huge help.

Now, I'm trying to figure out other stuff. My kids will be covered on my XH's health insurance, but I will not once the separation is legal, possibly in the next 2 months. So...Medicaid, I'm thinking.

I am also hoping to qualify for food stamps.

My problem is, I think, that I was a really disciplined retirement saver when I was working. I have a 401k from an old job as well as an IRA. It looks like the IRA will block me from getting food stamps! IF liquidating that would enable to get FS for the next 6 or so years (I'm aiming for medical school), it makes sense to do so. But of course, I'm not sure that's the only issue. I own our apartment. Do I have to sell that? Liquidate the 401k? Sell my car? At some point, this gets insane and seems really counterproductive in terms of encouraging people to be self-sustaining in the long term.

I'm having such trouble navigating this stuff - I have no idea how people do it!

It's so hard to take the 1/2 day or day to go around to each of these places... I'm also nervous about making appointments, taking time away from school and then not having all the paperwork they need. And the lists look LONG!

I guess my question is, if I apply for FS and am rejected, will they explain to me WHY and under what circumstances I would be eligible? I'm in New York, if that makes a difference.

Thanks!

[ediesmom]

welcome busybeemom!

you won't need to sell your home....and you are allowed to own a vehicle, but there is a cap on the value. if its a high priced car and you owe a lot n it they may want you to 'downsize' it....but maybe not.

housing subsidies DO cover mortgage, sometimes. so applying for a housing subsidy through HUD is a smart idea. the waiting lists are outrageous so the sooner the better.

you will have to get rid of the 401k, i believe. there are ways to get rid of it without it costing you an arm and a leg.....(i don't know exactly how)

yay on your school plans!

mamas, thanks for the well wishes. i made an appointment with the shoulder doc with the huge ego for tomorrow.

and i called the doc to get another scrip for regular nic gum.....no sugar coating (high blood sugar feels crappy)

and i made the decision to self medicate my thyroid.......i know what feels right. damn the tests.

so, hopefully in a few days something will 'give' healthwise.....

[Aura_Kitten]

Hi BusyBee, and welcome, although I'm sorry you're stuck in that situation.

As far as the savings go... they will allow you only enough resources to keep or get a job. So like, you could keep the car and of course your home, but if you tell them you have any jewelry or heirlooms they will make you sell those, and then come back and present them with the receipts, and also receipts showing how you spent the money you got from selling off those things (at least that's how it is in CA). The best thing to do is just not tell them what you own. SHH don't tell them I told you that. That won't work for investments though, you HAVE to liquidate those, and then live off of only those until you need emergency aid. Otherwise you won't qualify.

I'm not sure how it is in NY but here in CA, you can't get on FS or CalWorks (welfare / TANF) if you're not going straight to work, or if your training / school will take more than 2 years to complete. That is, you have to show that your training will lead to employment in 2 years or you can't get on aid. I've gotten around that so far just by having an awesome worker who "overlooks" that, but I'll be screwed if I get a different worker. Which is to say, Med school is out, sorry. Under the old welfare rules it could have been done (that is, pre-Welfare Reform) but not anymore.


You're right, it is counter-productive. And it really also sucks.

And on a side-note, I can't believe people in our situation (that is, everyone on this thread!) actually still vote republican after being in our shoes.

[BusyBeeMom]

[QUOTE=Aura_Kitten;10814847]
I'm not sure how it is in NY but here in CA, you can't get on FS or CalWorks (welfare / TANF) if you're not going straight to work, or if your training / school will take more than 2 years to complete. That is, you have to show that your training will lead to employment in 2 years or you can't get on aid. I've gotten around that so far just by having an awesome worker who "overlooks" that, but I'll be screwed if I get a different worker. Which is to say, Med school is out, sorry. Under the old welfare rules it could have been done (that is, pre-Welfare Reform) but not anymore.

[QUOTE]


You have time limits for FS? I thought there were not. I actually am working about 3 hours/week for a professor, but the paperwork hasn't gone through yet so i'm not officially on the payroll. At this point I was only thinking of applying for FS, not welfare, b/c I didn't think I would be eligible for welfare at all.

[mum4boys]

Originally Posted by BusyBeeMom

.

I am also hoping to qualify for food stamps.

My problem is, I think, that I was a really disciplined retirement saver when I was working. I have a 401k from an old job as well as an IRA. It looks like the IRA will block me from getting food stamps! IF liquidating that would enable to get FS for the next 6 or so years (I'm aiming for medical school), it makes sense to do so. But of course, I'm not sure that's the only issue. I own our apartment. Do I have to sell that? Liquidate the 401k? Sell my car? At some point, this gets insane and seems really counterproductive in terms of encouraging people to be self-sustaining in the long term.

I'm having such trouble navigating this stuff - I have no idea how people do it!

It's so hard to take the 1/2 day or day to go around to each of these places... I'm also nervous about making appointments, taking time away from
Thanks!

If you do a search in the frugal forum you will see the links where they cannot count your IRA against you for food stamps.

[ediesmom]

Originally Posted by Aura_Kitten

And on a side-note, I can't believe people in our situation (that is, everyone on this thread!) actually still vote republican after being in our shoes.

[EarthyMamaofDaisy]

Welcome BusyBee! You're right, it does get confusing but you get used to it. Most of the paperwork is at the beginning where you have to show all the birth certificates, social security cards, etc. Just check your state's website for the eligibility requirements for what you're applying for, I found that helps. You don't want to waste time applying for stuff you can't get. And call first to see what paperwork you need so you don't have to do a return trip to bring what you didn't bring the first time. And make sure when you go apply for FS that you go first thing when the doors open, and bring a book. I've had to wait over 2 hours for a caseworker to see me. It's a pain, but worth it. Good luck!

FYI- the price of flour is already going up! I normally buy a small bag of King Arthur organic for $1.99 and it's up to $2.19. Not sure if that is just up because of fuel prices or if that's due to the impending wheat shortage.

: and windy here tonight!

[s_kristina]

BusyBeeMom- check to see if you can apply online in your state. I just got a paper in the mail for a re certification and will be filling the form out online. After that they send me a letter asking for whatever paperwork they need. At this point we only have to turn in copies of dh's checks for work and expenses. Usually it's pay stubs, but he is self employed so checks and expenses with receipts it is.

[mum4boys]

Our state you can do everything online and no term limites on food stamps.

[justmama]

Back online!!!!!!!!!

I have missed you guys like crazy! I've been SOOOOOOOOOOOO lonely! Were it not for talking to Randee every once in a while for low income support, I would have gone mad!

So I have to go back and read to catch up but I figured I'd update you all on us. So after a few days of eliminating things I've decided that Grace is most definitely reacting to milk(her mucus is MAJORLY clearing up and her rash is still there but it's really light) and to Gain laundry detergent. All other things remain to be seen but for now I'm washing absolutely everything in Dawn dish detergent and eating only brown rice, pears, corn, beans, bananas, balsamic and apple cider vinegar, olive oil, coconut oil, and quinoa. VERY boring.: But it's worth it and I've really gotten good at making them taste good despite my limited diet. It cleaned out my food stamps money for the rest of the month so I'm hoping we get re-certified at our appt on the 27th. I'm nervous since I'm not working. I don't know what they will say. Any thoughts on that???? Anyone???
Mady and Sara are good. They are getting at each other's throats lately and it's hard not to yell but we've made progress in their behavior. Sara is using the potty a lot more with some bribing with gummy bears(I feel so guilty!) and trips to the dollar store. I'm thinking of arranging a playgroup with some of the moms in her storytime at the library to get her out of the house and out with kids her own age hopefully. So we'll see how that goes. Financially it's gonna be rough this month. I can't pay the gas bill without not paying the rent so the gas bill loses out. Oh well. There's not a whole heck of a lot I can do about it. But we'll squeak by and hopefully catch up next month.

[KnockedUpButtercup]

Hi everyone!

I feel so much better after that outing. My husband wound up not going, since he was feeling terrible (sinus headache), but the boys and I had a great time.

After the museum, we went to Ross's appt...we were on time, but the doctor was running late and was only able to spend 1/2 hour with him, so he only charged us half ($90). I would rather Ross have had the whole time with him, but I was secretly relieved at paying less than I'd expected.

After we got home and had dinner my husband was feeling better, so we all played Cranium. I have SO enjoyed having my older son home for Spring Break...I will be sad when he leaves for school again on Sunday.

Unfortunately, he wants to take my car back with him. We do have 3 cars (an embarassment of riches), but the extra one is my husband's project car...a VW bus (complete with camper top). We've had some fun trips in it, but lately it's fallen into a depression and lost the will to live. I can't let him take the Mazda until the bus is back on all 4 cylinders...and our tax return is already spoken for.

Anyway, I hope everyone is looking forward to a fun Easter weekend!

[ediesmom]

Originally Posted by justmama

Back online!!!!!!!!!

i am SOOOOOO happy! yay!


good morning mamas!

ahhhh....friday. pt early, then on to the shoulder doc......i am trying not to think about it, but i can just imagine him saying there is nothing wrong and if i would just move it it would be okay:

i am on break for the next week..... i WILL get a few of these health issues a bit more under control

i am going to pick up some containers from a freecycler....with food prices the way they are, i'm going to need to grow more of my own veggies...and i can't grow them in my soil (lead)

the grocery store has broccoli for 99cents.....i think i will freeze a bunch at that price....broccoli and peanut sauce with tofu:

and i'm glad i'm allergic to wheat with all the hubbub about wheat prices

i'll check back in

[justmama]

you need to tell that shoulder doc where to stick it if that's his attitude and I KNOW that you can handle doing that. get some answers lady!

so wanna give me a little tutorial on when and how to start a veggie garden in containers? I seem to kill everything I touch(though we did have some tomatoes last year from a starter plant but I didn't touch it, that was Mady's project). I SO want to grow veggies this year because I know how expensive fruits and veggies are gonna be.
okay so here's the downside to giving your kids all the nutrient-rich foods and eating all the crap and still expecting your body to produce superior breastmilk:

muscle cramps:

horrible painful cramps from nursing for HOURS last night. Oh my god, I was writhing in pain on the bed. It was awful. growth spurt time I think.

[sandygirl]

just got DD's lead results back {we've been dealing with lead poisoning}. Her level in November was 17, this time it was 1!!!!!!! I'm so glad!

Of course now it confirms what I thought all along - it was most likely in my milk {thanks to working in a 125+ year old school where they took no precautions when renovating}. So I'm off to get a lead test done on myself, and if it comes back high then it's off to a lawyer.